Abstract: A color image processing pipeline performs an interpolation on color data to generate triplets located at distinct pixel locations. The pipeline includes defect correction and image enhancement blocks having a first color interpolation block for generating RGB information for each pixel of an input image pixel pattern, and a second color interpolation block for receiving the RGB information to provide enhanced RGB pattern pixels. Dedicated line memories and delay circuits associated with the defect correction and image enhancement blocks permit real-time processing of pixel data. First and second read/write buffers store a subset or pixel block of the image data, and invert a scanning mode of pixel data being fed to the dedicated line memories and delay circuits associated to at least the first color interpolation block, from row-wise to column-wise, for each subset of data to be stored therein.

Abstract: In order to perform, according to a received signal (r), a channel-estimation procedure and a cell-search procedure in cellular communication systems, there are executed at least one first operation of correlation of said received signal (r) with secondary synchronization codes (SSC) and a second operation of correlation of said received signal (r) with known midamble codes (mid, MPL, MPS), whilst said channel-estimation procedure comprises a third operation of correlation of at least part of said received signal (r) with known midamble codes (mid, MPL, MPS), said first, second, and third correlation operation being executed by sending at least part (emidamble) of said received signal (r) to an input of a correlation bank.

Abstract: An optimized method of computing the value of the degree of membership of a fuzzy variable defined within a universe of discourse that is discreted into a finite number of points by way of a membership function thereof, wherein the membership function is quantified into a finite number of levels corresponding to a finite number of degrees of truth, and is stored as a characteristic value of each subset of fuzzy variable values being all mirrored in one value of said degree of membership corresponding to one of said levels. The computing method includes generating a binary sequence; generating an address signal from the bits in the binary sequence; reading the contents of the memory storing the membership functions at each address signal to obtain a characteristic value; and comparing the characteristic value with the value of a fuzzy input variable.

Abstract: Digital signals are transmitted on a bus at given instants selectively in a non-encoded format and an encoded format so as to minimize the switching activity on the bus. Given the same value of switching activity, the decision whether to transmit the signals in non-encoded format or in encoded format is taken according to the choice of maintaining constant, without transitions, the value of the additional signal, which signals that encoding of the signals transmitted each time has taken place or has been omitted.

Abstract: A process for transmitting data on a bus, minimizing the switching activity, involves converting the data between a first format and a second format used for transmission of the data. The conversion between said first format and said second format entails the swapping of position of respective bits within a cluster comprising a given number of bits, the swap operation being implementable according to different variants, the maximum number of said variants being equal to the factorial of the aforesaid given number. Each of said variants is identified by a respective pattern. Among the aforesaid patterns, an optimal pattern is selected which minimizes the switching activity at the moment of transmission of data on the bus. The data are then transmitted on the bus using the second format generated using said optimal pattern.

Abstract: The method of coding data within a data processing unit includes a representation as twos-complement and a coded representation of the data. The coded representation is a semi-negated representation. A data processing unit includes a memory device connected bidirectionally to a data bus, itself connected to a processing architecture which includes at least one arithmetic-logic unit. Advantageously, the data processing unit includes at least one data coding/decoding block connected between the processing architecture and the data bus.

Abstract: A modular information processing system is disclosed. The system includes an expansion device that embeds at least one internal peripheral without a controller and/or at least one port for connecting an external peripheral. The system further includes a hand-held computer that embeds control circuitry including at least one controller for the at least one internal peripheral or at least one external peripheral, and an interface for coupling the hand-held computer to the expansion device in a removable manner. In a mobile operating condition in which the hand-held computer is not coupled to the expansion device, the processing circuitry controls the hand-held computer. In an expanded operating condition in which the hand-held computer is coupled to the expansion device, the processing circuitry controls a personal computer formed by the hand-held computer and the expansion device. Also provided are a hand-held computer and an expansion device for use in modular information processing systems.

Abstract: For encoded membership functions used to identify atomic conditions defining antecedents of fuzzy inferences, and also for determining operands of the antecedents, corresponding stores are configured to store already available values of these encoded membership functions and of the operands. At the time of identification of a new value for the quantities, a check is made to see whether this value is already present in the corresponding store. If the outcome of this check is positive for encoded membership functions, pointers by which the encoded fuzzy inferences point to these functions is changed, so that the pointers are redirected towards the membership functions which are already stored. For operands of the antecedents, the check of the corresponding back-up store is carried out preferably based on the corresponding calculation values, the calculation of a new operand being disabled when the corresponding calculation parameters are already present in the corresponding back-up store.

Abstract: A method for decoding signals with encoded symbols over a symbol interval that modulate a carrier. The method includes phase locking the signal to be decoded to obtain a phase-locked signal. The value assumed by the phase-locked signal on at least one subinterval in each symbol interval is detected. The method continues with attributing to the decoded symbol corresponding to each symbol interval a value that is a function of the value detected the subinterval. The subinterval in question can be a single subinterval located at the end of the symbol interval. Alternatively, the value assumed by the phase-locked signal on a plurality of subintervals in each symbol interval is detected, and a respective majority value of said phase-locked signal within said plurality of subintervals is identified. A value determined on the basis of the majority value is attributed to the decoded symbol corresponding to each symbol interval.

Abstract: In a method for multiplication of floating-point real numbers, encoded in a binary way in sign, exponent and mantissa, the multiplication of the mantissa envisages a step of calculation of partial products, which are constituted by a set of addenda corresponding to the mantissa. In order to reduce the size and power consumption of the circuits designed for calculation, there is adopted a method of binary encoding which envisages setting the first bit of the mantissa to a value 1, in order to obtain a mantissa having a value comprised between 0.5 and 1. Also proposed are methods for rounding of the product and circuits for the implementation of the multiplication method. Also illustrated are circuits for conversion from and to encoding of floating-point teal numbers according to the IEEE754 standard. Preferential application is in portable and/or wireless electronic devices, such as mobile telephones and PDAs, with low power-consumption requirements.

Abstract: The calculation circuit comprises a subtracter having a first and a second input receiving a first and, respectively, a second input datum; a first output supplying a first output datum equal to the difference between the first and the second input datum; and a second output supplying a sign flag indicating the sign of the first output datum; an XOR logic gate having a first input receiving the sign flag, a second input receiving a first logic selection signal assuming a first level for the selection of the logical fuzzy union operation and a second level for the selection of the logical fuzzy intersection operation, and an output supplying a second logic selection signal; and a multiplexer having a first and a second datum input receiving the first and, respectively, the second input datum; a selection input receiving the second selection signal; and an output supplying a second output datum constituted by the first or the second input datum (A, B) as a function of the level assumed by the second selection s

Abstract: A codifying and storing method for membership functions representing a membership degree of fuzzy variables defined within a universe of discourse which is discretized into a finite number of points is provided. The membership functions are quantized into a finite number of levels corresponding to a finite number of membership degrees and are stored by means of a characteristic value of each sub-set of values of fuzzy variables having for their image the same value of the membership degree corresponding to one of said levels. Also provided is a method for calculating the value of the membership degree of a fuzzy variable defined within a universe of discourse discretized into a finite number of points with reference to a membership function thereof, as well as to a circuit for calculating the membership degree of a fuzzy variable with reference to a membership function thereof.

Abstract: To execute the cell-search procedure in a cellular communication system (such as a system based upon the 3GPP TDD standard), there are available identification codes for the second step (slot synchronization) and for the third step (identification of the scrambling codes). The identification codes are identified by a process of correlation with the received signal and are used for obtaining from a correspondence table the parameters for the execution of the second step (CD) or of the third step (SCR). The correspondence table is stored in a reduced form by the identification, according to rules of symmetry and redundancy, of subtables designed to generate the entire table by appropriate combination operations. The search procedure in the correspondence table thus reduced is conveniently modified by the introduction of the combination operations. A preferential application is in mobile communication systems based upon standards such as UMTS, CDMA2000, IS95 or WBCDMA.

Abstract: In a first step, slot synchronization may be obtained by setting in correlation the received signal with a primary sequence, which represents the primary channel, and storing the received signal. During a second step, the correlator may be re-used for correlating the received signal with a secondary sequence corresponding to the secondary synchronization codes. The correlator may include a first filter and a second filter connected in series, which receive a first secondary sequence and a second secondary sequence, which may include Golay sequences. Architectures of parallel and serial types, as well as architectures designed for re-using further circuit parts are also disclosed. The invention is particularly application in mobile communication systems based upon standards such as UMTS, CDMA2000, IS95, and WBCDMA.

Abstract: A data stream (b(t)) including high (“1”) and low (“0”) logical states is transmitted over an optical link by means of an optical source adapted to be driven via the data strema, to generate an optical signal for transmission over the optical link. The optical signal includes optical pulses generated at the occurrence of high logical states in the data stream b(t). The input data stream b(t) is coded into a coded data stream B(t) prior to the transmission over the optical link. The coding step minimizes the logical high states in the coded data stream, and the optical source is driven by means of the coded data stream wherein the number of logical high states has been minimized.

Abstract: Described herein is a method for transmitting data on a bus with minimization of the bus switching activity, comprising the steps of converting the datum to be transmitted from its own original format to a transmission format that minimizes the switching activity on the bus, said conversion consisting in swapping the position of one or more bits of the datum to be transmitted, the swapping being performable according to a plurality of different variants, each of which is identified by a respective sorting pattern, and selecting, between the various sorting patterns, an optimal sorting pattern that minimizes the bus switching activity upon transmission on the bus of the datum generated using said optimal sorting pattern.

Abstract: N binary signals are transmitted through a bus of m leads, where m<n, at the rhythm of a train of clock pulses by encoding a first signal on a second signal. The encoding provides for the information associated with the first signal to be included in the second signal within a predetermined time interval of the clock period preceding each reading clock pulse. In this way one obtains a reduction of the switching activity on the bus and therefore a reduction of the energy consumption.

Abstract: A process for transmitting data on a bus, minimizing the switching activity, involves converting the data between a first format and a second format used for transmission of the data. The conversion between said first format and said second format entails the swapping of position of respective bits within a cluster comprising a given number of bits, the swap operation being implementable according to different variants, the maximum number of said variants being equal to the factorial of the aforesaid given number. Each of said variants is identified by a respective pattern. Among the aforesaid patterns, an optimal pattern is selected which minimizes the switching activity at the moment of transmission of data on the bus. The data are then transmitted on the bus using the second format generated using said optimal pattern.

Abstract: In a method for multiplication of floating-point real numbers, encoded in a binary way in sign, exponent and mantissa, the multiplication of the mantissa envisages a step of calculation of partial products, which are constituted by a set of addenda corresponding to the mantissa. In order to reduce the size and power consumption of the circuits designed for calculation, there is adopted a method of binary encoding which envisages setting the first bit of the mantissa to a value 1, in order to obtain a mantissa having a value comprised between 0.5 and 1. Also proposed are methods for rounding of the product and circuits for the implementation of the multiplication method. Also illustrated are circuits for conversion from and to encoding of floating-point real numbers according to the IEEE754 standard. Preferential application is in portable and/or wireless electronic devices, such as mobile telephones and PDAs, with low power-consumption requirements.

Abstract: Digital signals are transmitted on a bus at given instants selectively in a non-encoded format and an encoded format. The decision whether to transmit the signals in non-encoded format or in encoded format is taken in part, based on a comparison of the signal to be transmitted on the bus for an instant of the aforesaid given instants with the signal transmitter on the bus for the preceding instant, so as to minimize switching activity on the bus.